Simple Orange Salad Recipe

This blood orange salad is vibrant, fresh, and juicy using just 4 ingredients. A simple orange salad recipe that's a visually stunning addition to your table!

Blood Orange Salad With Strawberries

There's always excitement in the air for seasonal fruit that's a burst of freshness!

Seasonal recipes allow you to use the produce at it's finest. Recipes that are light, bright, colorful and easy to make. This orange salad uses layered blood orange slices with a little greenery like rocket (arugula), soft baby spinach and juicy fresh strawberries with creamy slices of mozzarella cheese.

It's not only a salad you can also use this salad idea as a grand appetizer!

This is an easy salad and all you really need is a citrus vinaigrette or your favorite salad dressing with it. It's also great for a low-calorie diet, is easily customizable and with a few creative variations, it will quickly become your go-to recipe. 

When Is Citrus Season in South Africa?

Citrus in South Africa peaks in the autumn and winter season. Although it's supposed to be until October, some types of citrus are already dwindling by October.

Notes on Blood Oranges

• Don't forget to wash your juicy oranges before slicing.
• I like to wash them when I get home (even use a small brush to remove dirt that you perhaps can't see). Let them dry over a rack and then store them in the refrigerator. They last longer and stay fresh.
• Take them out and leave them on the countertop for a bit before using them. Like this, the temperature is lower and you get more fresh orange juice.
• Left-over sliced oranges? Cover them with cling wrap or in an airtight container then store them in the refrigerator.

Ingredients You Need to Make Orange Salad

This salad uses simple ingredients and any other oranges work from sweet oranges like mandarin or navel oranges. 

Blood oranges: Blood oranges are the central theme of this fruit salad and the bold orange slices are a true burst of sunshine!

Salad greens: For variety, you can use mixed greens such as baby greens, soft baby spinach, kale (wash and massage to soften), or make it as a (rocket) arugula salad. What works well in this salad is soft lettuce like butter lettuce or something similar.

Moreover, fresh produce like spring greens and spring mixes are easily available. Try making your mixed herb selection, it gives you control over quality, texture, and taste. 

Fresh strawberries: Fresh strawberries give the salad a delicious sweetness with a hint of tanginess. Maybe not an orange fluff salad dessert but refreshing and equally delicious!

Mozzarella ball: Fresh Mozzarella makes the salad cheesy and adds a mellow, fresh flavor. We love the savory flavors it adds to fresh oranges in general.

Edible flowers: For a pop of freshness, you can use pansies, while nasturtiums provide a hint of pepper. 

Furthermore, they add a perfect balance of flavors and a vibrant look to the salad. Alternatively, you can also include orange blossom water.

How to Make Fresh Orange Salad

Very simple step-by-step salad so the focus is all on fresh seasonal ingredients and presentation since we do eat with our eyes first!

Step 1: Rinse the salad green mix under running water to ensure it is clean. Let the greens dry. Use a kitchen towel or a salad spinner.

Step 2: Rinse the strawberries to remove dirt, then cut them in half.

Step 3: Peel 2 blood oranges and slice them, the other one can be used in the dressing or halved and peeled on for presentation purposes. 

Step 4: Add the dried greens to a large platter or serving dish. Neatly arrange the orange slices, overlapping to look presentable and pleasing.

Step 5: Gently pull apart the fresh mozzarella ball and randomly place the pieces over the oranges and greens. 

Step 6: Place the prepared strawberries and edible flowers over the salad.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy with your favorite salad dressing or vinaigrette

Orange Salad Variations

• You can use feta cheese, goat cheese, dollops of cream cheese, or cottage cheese.
• Make it an orange and pineapple titbits instead!
• Add shallots or red onions for crunch, an extra pop of color, and a hint of sweet earthiness. 
• Crunchy pecans, almond flakes, and walnuts will add crunch and nuttiness to the salad. You can also add the amazing poppyseed! 
• Boost with protein by adding cooked or grilled chicken breast, shrimp or salmon.
• Add fresh avocado or make an avocado dressing, and you can add black olives for extra oomph!
• Fresh mint, green onions, and parsley are great options.

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